A multicentric study from Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, and Emory University analyzing 2018-2019 Medicare beneficiaries and published Jan 8th in Neurology noted that 1 in 5 patients referred to a neurologist by their primary care physician waited 90 days or more to see the neurologist for their first visit. There was significant variability across states, with wait times ranging from as little as 1 day to as much as a year, and mean wait time was around 54 days. ​

Wait times were among the longest for MS patients in particular, with a mean wait time of 82.5 days. This is a crucial time period where these patients may end up in the hospital again with another flare up and end up having significant long term consequences in the form of enduring disability.​

This study could not get information regarding the numerous people who were referred but ultimately never got to see a neurologist due to the challenges faced in scheduling a visit. ​